7 replies to this topic

[Naif_Wolves]

This has probably been asked a lot, but I've used the search function to no avail. Has anyone had a problem with the front windscreen leaking, at the bottom, drivers side? I can't find and holes or gaps, but when there is heavy rain or I wash the car, it starts to leak. It drips from under the windscreen, down onto the fusebox and leaves a small, damp patch on the carpet.

If anyone has had this problem, help would be much appreciated, otherwise I'm going to be looking at a new windscreen and seals!

[Zacherius]

This has probably been asked a lot, but I've used the search function to no avail. Has anyone had a problem with the front windscreen leaking, at the bottom, drivers side? I can't find and holes or gaps, but when there is heavy rain or I wash the car, it starts to leak. It drips from under the windscreen, down onto the fusebox and leaves a small, damp patch on the carpet.

If anyone has had this problem, help would be much appreciated, otherwise I'm going to be looking at a new windscreen and seals!

I'd start with replacing the rubber seal just to be sure, as even the slightest loss of pressure between the body and glass will allow liquid to get through... even more so in heavy rain.

I changed mine and it still had a leak ! then found that water was getting in via the rubber "block" which covers the hole where the wipers go on left hand drive minis ( if thats right )

All sorted now though...... fingers crossed

[Dan]

It's very common. Some aftermarket glass is thinner than was intended to be used with the Mini seals. Then again it can just be because the seals are old and dried, they shrink a bit with age. You need a new seal really, use some non-setting windscreen sealant from Frost automotive with it and it will seal very well. As standard there is no sealant used but this stuff really helps.

[Dan]

I changed mine and it still had a leak ! then found that water was getting in via the rubber "block" which covers the hole where the wipers go on left hand drive minis

Err, that's not possible. That hole leads into the engine bay, not the interior. For that reason the wiper plugs aren't really meant to be waterproof. If there was a leak from there it was because of the pedalbox gasket or seals failing. If these have failed and you have only sealed up the wiper plugs then there will still be leaks because a fair bit of water can find its way to the bulkhead from various sources.

Edited by Dan, 07 January 2009 - 04:54 PM.

[Zacherius]

I changed mine and it still had a leak ! then found that water was getting in via the rubber "block" which covers the hole where the wipers go on left hand drive minis

Err, that's not possible. That hole leads into the engine bay, not the interior. For that reason the wiper plugs aren't really meant to be waterproof. If there was a leak from there it was because of the pedalbox gasket or seals failing.

Damn.... Then it will be back ! Not sure where it could be coming from then ? Only small, tiny in fact, a drop or two atfer hours of rain !! Any Ideas ?

[Dan]

Under the master cylinders there is a plate on the bulkhead crossmember. This plate has a gasket under it and there are seals and gaskets around the cylinders themselves. If it appeared to be a leak through the wiper plug it's quite likely to actually be a leak through the plate gasket. This area is subject to quite a lot of brake fliud damage over the years and so the seals fail easily. It could also be from any of the seals around various hoses and cables where they pass through the bulkhead in this area. Unfortunately there are a lot of suspects, look for grommets that are dried and crumbly.

[taffy1967]

Having the bonnet fitted properly also helps stop water getting on to the engine bulkhead. Probably why the post 1996 Twin-Point Minis had that rubber seal that runs half way down each side of the inner wing lip?

So you could get one of those seals from Mini Spares and try that?

http://www.minispare...=... ENGINE B...

Edited by taffy1967, 07 January 2009 - 06:00 PM.

[Naif_Wolves]

Cheers guys, I'll be on to this the weekend!